Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Petit theft.. now Macys is trying to file a lawsuit

A friend and I were charged with petit theft because she stole a pair of earrings and placed them in a shopping bag I was carrying, so technically, we were both at fault (we're both 18 yrs. old. We were never arrested for this, by the way). We've both been to our arraingnments and we're both in a misdemeanor intervention program for first-time offenders that takes the charge off our records. Before we went to court, we both received letters supposedly from a law firm representing Macys stating that we ''may settle this matter by making payment to us in the amount of $200.'' Im 18 and have never been in trouble before, so as far as Im concerned, I thought we went to court and settled the matter there and that was the end of it. But I just received another letter from this law firm asking for $475, because I ''failed to make payment after written demand to do so.'' I dont understand why this law firm is asking me (us) for money. It says that they can file a lawsuit against me (us) if we dont pay them within 10 days of the date of the letter, which is dated May 22nd... I didnt see this letter until yesterday (the 31st), so now I dont know what to do about this.


Asked on 6/01/07, 1:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert M. Perez Law Office of Robert M. Perez, State and Federal Criminal Defense

Re: Petit theft.. now Macys is trying to file a lawsuit

In the State of Florida there is civil theft statute that provides civil penalties in addition to any criminal penalties you may face for theft. What these stores do is they hire these mickey mouse law firms to send you these collection type letters asking for these fines that they can get under the statute. My suggestion is that you call the law firm and pay only $200. They are not entitled to any more unless they have filed a lawsuit.

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Answered on 6/01/07, 2:19 pm


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